Man to beat: Aniq Kasdan will be taking part in the men’s 61kg at the Commonwealth Championships in Suva, Fiji, from Sept 17-24.
PETALING JAYA: Aniq Kasdan, after coming close to winning a medal at the Paris Olympics, will be the weightlifter to beat at the Commonwealth Championships in Suva, Fiji, from Sept 17-24 where he will be competing in his current men’s 61kg category.
The Segamat-born Aniq won the men’s 55kg at the 2021 Commonwealth Championships at the age of 19 before securing gold in the same category in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Since the lower weight event is not contested at the Olympics, the 22-year-old Aniq has switched permanently to focus on the 61kg and has even upstaged his senior Aznil Bidin.
Aniq, who lifted a total of 297kg, was pipped to the bronze medal at the Olympics last week by just 1kg by Hampton Morris of the United States (298kg), with Li Fabin of China winning gold (310kg) and Theerapong Silachai of Thailand (303kg) claiming silver.
Aniq has not wasted much time upon returning from Paris on Saturday and had started training on Monday to prepare for the championships.
Despite being the overwhelming favourite, Aniq played down his chances in Fiji.
“The Commonwealth Championships will be my first competition after the Olympics and I will do my best there,” said Aniq.
“Of course, the medal chances are there but the Olympics has taken a lot from me and my first task is to get back in training and iron out my weaknesses.
“On paper, my total is the highest but I don’t want to underestimate anyone.”
Aniq’s closest rival will be Papua New guinea’s Morea Baru, who finished fifth in Paris with a lift of 279kg.
Mohd Amin Shukry, 20, will make his debut in the same event as Aniq in Fiji.
Meanwhile, 2021 Commonwealth meet gold medallist in the 61kg Aznil will be trying to secure gold in the 67kg while Erry Hidayat is down to compete in the 73kg where he won silver in 2021.
Mohd Rahimi Sulaiman is the other Malaysian competing in the meet where he will be aiming for a medal in the men’s 55kg.
Malaysia will be sending 15-year-old Nurul Syasya Samsur (59kg) and Nur Syazwani Radzi (64kg) for the women’s categories.
